Merganser Chicks Ride on Mom’s Back

There were osprey, kingfishers, mallards and common and hooded mergansers. All the ducks had chicks.

Mallard hen with chicks

The mallard hen had 8 or 9 chicks with her. It’s hard to count those little bobbing heads while trying to keep up with mom in the rapids. Watch the video of the mallard chicks following mama across the river. They look like they are connected by elastic.

[youtube https://youtu.be/dKQULrAl_gM]

Click on YouTube (bottom right) for a larger video.

A Common Merganser hen had 11 chicks with her today. She was VERY protective. She defended them from another female merganser who came too close.

Common Merganser mom protects chicks from other merganser

A Hooded Merganser had 3 chicks with her today but I didn’t get a photo. One of her chicks got mixed in with the Common Merganser’s chicks. The Common Merganser Mom attacked the Hoodie chick, throwing it across the water several times. it was a violent attack on such a harmless little baby. I wondered if she killed the chick but later saw the family intact. I don’t understand what the threat was.

Common Merganser Mom resting with chicks

Then I finally saw the merganser chicks riding on their mom’s back! The only way she can get some peace is to dive. 🙂 Watch the video of the Common Merganser mom and chicks: